Testosterone and 19-nortestosterone(4&#39;-methylbicyclo(2,2,2)octane - 1&#39; - methyl)carbonate and selected derivatives



United States Patent Office US. Cl. 260-397.4 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Described and claimed are bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1- methyl and 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1'-methyl carbonates and the corresponding octene carbonates of variously substituted testosterones and 19-nortestosterones as represented by the formula where R R R R and R may be either H or CH and a, b, and 0 may be single or double bonds, all subject to the following provisos:

(1) If R is H, b must be a single bond.

(2) If b is a single bond and R is CH R must be in the a configuration.

(3) If any one of R R and R is CH the others must be H.

(4) If R is CH b must be a double bond.

Also described are two methods by which the compounds of Formula I may be prepared:

(1) Reaction of the steroidal chloroor fluoroformate with the bicyclooctylmethyl alcohol.

(2) Reaction of the steroidal alcohol with the bicyclooctylmethyl chloroforrnate.

The compounds of this invention are useful as agents producing prolonged and intense myotrophic or androgenic eflfects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to new carbonate esters of variously substituted testosterones and 19-nortestosterones. These esters are the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1'-methyl, bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-2-ene-1'-methyl, 4-methylbicyclo [2.2.2] octane-l'-methyl and 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene-l'- methyl carbonates of testosterone and related derivatives. Such compounds are characterized by the presence of a carbonyldioxy group,

at the 17-position of the steroid mucleus to which group 3,523,126 Patented Aug. 4, 1970 is bonded either a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1'-methyl or a 4- methylbicyclo [2.2.2]octane-1-methyl radical.

Description of the prior art The following references from the prior art are believed to be pertinent to this invention:

(1) US. Pat. 3,056,727, issued Oct. 2, 1962, to Allais et al. and assigned to Roussel-UCLAF, discloses the cyclohexylcarbonates of testosterone and 19-nortestosterone and their preparation by the reaction of the steroidal alcohol with cyclohexyl chloroformate. The cyclohexylcarbonate of testosterone is reported to possess intense and prolonged androgenic activity.

(2) French Pat. M 1,215, issued Apr. 2, 1962, to RousselUCLAF, and its domestic equivalent, US. 3,314,856, issued Apr. 18, 1967, to Allais et al. and assigned to RousselUCLAF, disclose testosterone cyclohexylmethyl carbonate and its preparation by reacting testosterone with cyclohexylmethyl chloroformate. This product is reported to possess both intense and prolonged androgenic activity and substantial anabolic activity.

(3) French Pat. M 2,444, issued May 4, 1964, to RousselUCLAF, discloses 19-nortestosterone cyclohexylmethyl carbonate (called 3-oxo-17,8-hydroxy-A -estrene hexahydrobenzyl carbonate) and its preparation from 19- nortestosterone and cyclohexylmethyl chloroformate. The product is reported to possess marked anabolic and androgenic activity.

(4) US. Pat. 3,261,852, issued July 19, 1966, to Rapala and assigned to Eli Lilly and Company, discloses the l-adamantoate esters of testosterone and nortestosterone. These compounds are reported to be anabolic agents of long activity duration.

(5) The copending application of Boswell, U.S. S.N. 597,555, now US. Pat. 3,443,813, filed Nov. 29, 1966, and assigned to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, discloses the l-adamantyl and l-adamanatylmethyl carbonates of testosterone and 19-nortestosterone. These compounds are reported to possess useful androgenic-anabolic activities.

(6) The copending application of Scribner, U.S. S.N. 579,515, filed Sept. 15, 1966 now abandoned, and assigned to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, discloses esters of testosterone and 19-nortestosterone with bicyclo- [2.2.2]octane 1 carboxylic acid and 4-methylbicyclo- [2.2.2]octane-l-carboXylic acid and the corresponding 2- octene acids. These compounds are reported to possess surprisingly high ratios of anabolic (myotrophic) to androgenic activity as compared to the parent testosterone alcohols or their common esters.

SUMMARY AND DETAILS OF THE INVENTION The new compounds of this invention are represented by the general formula:

I, O-C-O-CHZ @13 The novel compounds represented by Formula I may be prepared by either of two synthetic routes. The first involves the reaction of steroidal chloroor fluoroformate with free alcohol as represented in the following equation where X=Cl or F and all other symbols have the previously stated significance:

CHECK.

Compounds '9 Formula (I) (II) (III) cgr oecl Compounds 1: of c 5 Formula. .(I) l 5 The chloroformates of Formula V are prepared by the reaction of the corresponding alcohol with phosgene.

The reactions for preparing the compounds of this invention as illustrated by the foregoing equations may be carried out at atmospheric or increased pressures and at temperatures ranging from -20 to 200 C. In general the reaction of chloroformates and alcohols takes place at lower temperatures than the analogous reaction of fluoroformates and alcohols. Preferably the reaction of fiuoroformates and alcohols is conducted in refluxing benzene or toluene while the reaction of chloroformates and alcohols is carried out at room temperature or temperatures somewhat below.

In reacting the alcohols with the chloroor fluoroforrnates it is advantageous to employ an excess of the alcohol in order to achieve full conversion of the formate to carbonate; it is easier to recover unreacted alcohol than unreacted iormate.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS There follow some nonlimiting examples illustrative of the invention.

4 EXAMPLE I (A) Ethyl 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2] octane-l-carboxylate it soon core A solution of 10.0 g. of 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2] octanel-carboxylic acid (VI) in 200 ml. of ethanol and 10 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid was heated to reflux for 2 hours after which the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residual liquid was dissolved in about ml. of benzene, and the benzene solution was Washed successively with cold 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, water and saturated salt solution. The benzene solution was dried over MgSO and evaporated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was distilled at 76/ 1.7 mm., yield 8.80 g., 11,, 1.4582.

Infrared: A213 5.75 (ester carbonyl), 8.0 (COC) (B) 4-methylbicyclo [2.2.2]octane-1-methanol 9 cost: C3203 (VII) I- 7 A solution of 8.8 g. of ester (VII) in 100 ml. of dry ether was added dropwise to a stirred solution of 1.96 g. of lithium aluminum hydride in 100 ml. of dry ether. The resultant mixture was cooled in an ice bath for over 30 minutes and then heated to reflux for 30 minutes, after which it was again cooled in an ice bath. At this point the excess reducing agent was decomposed by the cautious addition of saturated sodium sulfate solution. The mixture was filtered to remove salts, and the filtrate was washed successively with water and saturated salt solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to afford the alcohol (VIII) as a clear colorless syrup. This was purified by distillation which afiords a colorless syrup, yield 5.76 g., B.P. 4.5 mm., 11 1.4725.

Infrared: A23 2.90 (OH) (C) l7fl-hydroxy-4-estrene-3-one fluoroformate (or: l9-nortestosterone fluoroforrnate) A solution of l9-nortestosterone (25.0 g.) in methylene chloride (100 ml.) was shaken with carbonyl fluoride (75 g.) in a pressure vessel at 20i2 C. for 10 hours. The reaction vessel was then vented, swept out with nitrogen, and its contents were transferred to a separatory funnel. The methylene chloride solution was washed with water, then with a saturated salt solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residual clear, viscous syrup solidified on trituration with hexane. The crude product was recrystallized from hexane to aiford 17 3-hydroxy-4- estrene-3-one fluoroformate (IX) (23.4 g.) as crystals melting at 8383.5 C., +34 (c. 1.47, CHCl Analysis.Calcd. for C H FO (percent): C, 71.3; H, 7.85; F, 5.92. Found (percent): C, 71.42; H, 7.84; F, 5.88.

3,523,126 6 Infrared. xNuio, 5 50 COF 6 02 0:0) g.) in a pressure vessel at 20:2 C. for hours. The 620 fi d and 8D. reaction mixture was processed as described in Example IC and the crude roduct was urified b cr stallization Ultraviolet: x512? 240 (e=18,000) and 312 my. (e=7 from hexane. Thefe was thus gbtained ZSJ g. of 17;?-

(D) 17fi-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (4-methy1bicyclo hydroxy-4-androstene-3-one fluoroformate, M.P. 104- [2.2.2]octane-1'-methy1) carbonate 5 106 C., [ch +86 (c. 2.33, CHC1 O 9 u M o-c-ocrr 8 GOP -a H (:62 ea er-t I-I no Q) a IX VIII X A mixture of 2.0 g. of 19-nortestosterone fluoroformate Analysis.Calcd. for C H FO (percent): C, 71.7; H,

(IX), 5.50 g. of 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1-metha- 20 8.13; F, 5.68. Found (percent): C, 72.06; H, 8.03; F, 5.74. nol (VIII), 0.60 of dry pyridine and 100 ml. of dry Nuiul benzene was heat d to reflux with stirring under N; for g g f gij gf 3 0011] C O) 36 hours during which time a crystalline solid had sub- Em! lirned into the reflux condenser. This solid was soluble in Ultraviolet 238 mu (6 16,600)

water. The solid was poured into water and extracted (B) 17B-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (4-methylbicyclo with methylene chloride. The extracts were washed with 25 [2.2.2]octane-l-methyl) carbonate CH3 XI VIII XII water and saturated salt solution, dried over MgSO and A mixture of 1.50 g. of testosterone fluoroformate evaporated under reduced pressure to afford a viscous, (XI), 3.0 g. of 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-l-methanol colorless syrup, the infrared spectrum of which indicated (VIII), 0.5 ml. of dry pyridine and 55 m1. of dry benzene a good conversion to the carbonate (X). was allowed to react according to the procedure described Infrared: x32: 2.95(-OH), 550 (fluoroformate carbonyl, m Exalilp 16 The Workup described in Example weak), 5.76 (carbonate carbonyl, strong), 601 (conj. Wlth chromatflgnflphy of the crude Product 0n l- C 3 b l), 1g j C=C s1l and recrystallization of the product cuts from petroleum ether (B.P. 30-60) furnished 1.40 g. of testog f g iii igg gg% g fg g 33 ggi gig g gg gigg steronegli-methylbicyclo[2.2.2] octane-1'-methyl) carbor acetone in hexane (by volume) (cuts 7 and 8, 150 ml.) if 2 :2 iiolorless t d t 0 17 151452 returned 3.35 g. of unreacted bicyclooctane-l-methanol i Sis g g 5 (VIII) which solidified on standing. Cut 9 was a mixture 76 3 46 i gg af gg f f of carbonate (X) and alcohol (VIII). Continued elution 50 8 4 p with the same solvent system (cuts 10-14) afforded 1.90

g. of carbonate X. The cuts were combined and then re- Infrared: max 5.74 (Ca y jcrystallized from petroleum ether (B.P. 30-60) to furnish O 3 622 ll9 nortestosterone (4' methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1'- Ultraviolet: Am 240 (17,200) and 320 m (65) methyl)carbonate (X, 1.0 g., 1st crop), M.P. 134-135,

[a] 24 1169 4 3. 78 64 11 181111 7, 0.85 (18H), 1.18 D t t Analysis.-Calcd. for 0 111 0. (454.63) (percent): 0, we me hylenes) 3 78 76.7; H, 9.31. Found (percent): C, 76.56, 76.95; H, 9.46, (OCH 4.52 (Ha-hydrogen, triplet, Jg7-8 9.33. Infrared: x... 5.74 (carbonate carbonyl), 5.95 (conj. (C4 vmylhydmgen) carbonyl), 6.17 (conjugated C=C), 8.0 (C-O-C) EXAMPLE III Ultraviolet: A 238 (17,700) and 312 my (75) (A) 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-l-hydroxylmethyl H 11.1111; 0.78 (4-methyl), 0.88 (C18H), 1.40 chloroformate (methylenes of bicyclooctane), 3.78 (II-i 01! o cg o.g g (OCH2C|1),5.84 p.p.m. (3-4 vinyl 3 11% hydrogen) CH3 CH3 EXAMPLE II VIII XIII XIV (A) 17 3-hydroxy-4-androstene-3-one fluoroformate testosterone fluoroformate) 4-methylb1cyclo[2.2.2]octane-l-methanol (VIII) 1s allowed to react with phosgene as described in I. Am. Chem. A solution of testosterone (50 g.) in methylene chlo- Soc., 88, 1988 (1966) to furnish the chloroformate (XIV) ride ml.) was shaken with carbonyl fluoride 75 as a white crystalline solid.

(B) 17fi-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (4'-methy1bicyclo 30-60) to give 17fi-hydroxyestr-4-ene-3-0ne (4-methyl- [2.2.2]octane-1'-methyl) carbonate bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-l-methy1) carbonate.

c-oct' H or 2 2% 3 n 05 0001 H CH XV XIV x The preparation of other of the compounds of this in- A solution of 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-l-hydroxyvention as represented by Formula I is carried out in ethyl chloroformate (XIV) in dry benzene is added dropthe same manner described in the foregoing examples Wise with stirring to a solution of 19-nortestosterone using as starting materials the appropriately substituted (XV) in 35 ml. of anhydrous pyridine that has been 20 testosterones or l9-nortestosterones. These additional cooled to 10 C. After the addition is complete, the mixcompounds are set forth in Table I. The bicyclo[2.2.2]- ture is allowed to stir at ambient temperature for 20 oct-Z-ene-l-methanols are readily available from bicyclohours. During this time copious amounts of pyridine hy- [2.2.2]oct-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid or the 4-methyl compound by conversion of the acid to its methyl ester followed by lithium aluminum hydride reduction. For each drochloride are precipitated. The reaction mixture is washed with Water and saturated salt solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness entry in Table I it should be understood that either the under reduced pressure to leave a viscous syrup. The steroid or the alcohol may first be converted to either the crude product is purified by chromatography on Florisil chloroor fluoroformate and that this intermediate may followed by crystallization from petroleum ether (B.P. then be allowed to react with the appropriate partner.

TABLE I Steroid Alcohol Product 7a-methyl-19-nortestosterone 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-lhr-methyl-IQ-nortestosterune (4-methylbieylco[2.2 2]

methanol. octaneY-methyl) carbonate.

Dihydrotestosterone Bicyelo [2.2.21-oet-2-enc-l-methanoL. Dlhygrotistosterone (bicyclolz2.2]octr2-euc-l'-methyl} ear ona 0. OH

2a-methyl-173-hydr0xyandrostan3-one- Bieyelol2.2.2]-oetane1-methanol- 2-methyl-17fi-hydroxyandrostan-3-one (bicycle [2.2.2]

0etane-1-methy1)carbonate. OH

l-methyl-1'lfl-hydroxyandIost-l-enB-one 4-methylbicycle-[2.2.2]oct-2-ene-l- 1-methyl-176-hydroxyandrost-l-en-3-one (4-methylbi- OH methanol. cycle-[2.2.2]oet-2-ene-1-methyl) carbonate.

TABLE I.Continued Steroid Alcohol Product 175-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one methanol.

7a-1nethyl-l7B-hydroxycstr-l-en-B-one 4-methylbicyclo-[2.2.2]octane-1- Bicyclo[2.2.2]-octane-1-methanol 17fl-hydr0xyandrosta-l, 4-dien-3-one (4'-methylbicyclo [2.2.2]octanc-Y-methyl) carbonate.

7a-methyl-175-hydroxyestr-1-en-3-one (bicyc1o[2.2.2]-

0ctane-1-methyl) carbonate.

17B-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one 2a-methy1-1IB-hydroxy-5a-androstan 3-one metha ol Bicyclo[2.2.2]0ct-2-en-1-methnnol 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-en-L 17B-hydroxyestr-Len-B-one (bicyclo[2.2.2] oct-2-en-1 methyl) carbonate.

2a.-methyl-17-Bhydroxy-fifl-androstan-K-one (bieyclo [2.2.2]oct-2-en-1-methyl) carbonate.

17B-hydroxyandrost-1-en-3mm 4-methylbicyclo-[2.2.2]0ct-2-enemethanol.

17fl-hydroxyandrost-1-en-3-one (4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]

oct-2-ene-l-methyl) carbonate.

TEST FOR PROLONGED ANDROGENIC- ANABOLIC ACTIVITY Bioassays were conducted on the compounds of this invention to determine their pharmacological effect. In the procedure used, dosages of the compounds to be tested were administered on a single occasion to 21-day-old Simonsen albino rats. The rats were males made castrate the day of dosage administration. The administration was by subcutaneous injection of the test compound in 0.2 ml. of a vehicle composed of 90% sesame oil and 10% benzyl 75 below.

TABLE ILPROLONGED RAT ANDRO GEN ASSAY Mean Tissue RatioiSE. Mean Organ Wt. (mg.) Total Body Dose, No. of '11., Pros- Seminal Levator Vent. Sem. Lev. Compound Administered mg. Rats g. tate Vesicles Ani Prost. Ves. Anl

Cnni'rnl 6 207 033:. :l=. 0O 225;. 02 7. 2 1i. 0 45. 9 Testosterone propionate 3.4 7 219 .17==.03 .28i.03 .26i.02 36.6 49.4 56. 3 19-nortestosterone (e methylbicyelo [2.2.2]octane-1- methyl) carbonate 4. 54 7 231 .21=!=. 0-1 .21i.03 .555; 01 47.9 48.0 126.5 Testosterone (4'-methyl-bieyclo[2.2.2] octane-1'-methyl) car 4. 68 7 235 .40i.05 .62=|=. .35=\=.03 91.9 143.5 82.7 19-Nortestosterone-4-methy1bicyelo- [2.2.2]octane-1'- carboxylate. 4. 52 7 216 .04= ;.00 .075; 01 .35;l- -.03 8.9 15. 5 76. 3

TABLE III.OONCLUSIONS FROM PROLONGED RAT ANDROGEN ASSAY Compound administered Androgenie activity Anabolic activity Zlestosterone propionate Test0sterone propionate.

19-nortestosterone (4-methylbicyc1o [2.2.2]octane- 1-methyl) carbonate.

Testosterone methyl) carbonate.

tane-1-carboxylate.

l9-nortestosterone-4'-methylblcyelo[2.2.2]oetane-Y-earboxylate.

'-methy1bicyclo[2.2.2] octane-l- Testosterone proplonate Testosterone propionato.

19nortestosterone-4'-methylbioyclo [2.2.2]oetane-l- Inactive Do.

carboxylate.

EXAMPLE A O-C- 0- CH CH3 X XVI Biological testing has revealed significant differences in the biological activities of compound (X), a compound of this invention, and compound (XVI). For example, compound (X) possesses potent myotrophic activity (greater than testosterone propionate) with low androgenic activity (nearly the same as testosterone propionate). Compound (XVI), on the other hand, possesses low myotropbic activity 05 testosterone propionate) and quite strong androgenic activity (ca. 1X testosterone propionate). These findings are a dramatic example of the beneficial eifeet of the bulky carbonate ester as compared to a relatively non-bulky ester moiety.

Since obvious modifications and equivalents in the invention will be evident to those skilled in the chemical arts, I propose to be bound solely by the appended claims. 55

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A compound of the formula:

(ii) if b is a single bond and R is methyl, R

must be in the alpha configuration;

(iii) if any one of R R and R is methyl, the

others must be hydrogen;

(iv) if R is methyl, b must be a double bond.

2. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =-R R*=hydrogen, R =methyl, a=a double bond and b: c=a single bond: I9-nortestosterone(4'-methylbicyclo [2.2.2]octane-1-methyl) carbonate.

3. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =R hydrogen, R =R =methyL a=a double bond and b= c=a single bond: testosterone(4'-methylbicyclo[2.2.2] octane- -methyl) carbonate.

4. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =R hydrogen, R =R =methyl, a=a double bond and b=c= a single bond: 7a-methyl-19-nortestosterone(4'methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1'-methyl) carbonate.

5. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =R R =hydrogen, -R =methyl, a= b=a single bond and c=a double bond: dihydrotestosterone(bicyclo[2.2.2]Oct-2- ene-l-methyl) carbonate.

6. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =methyl, R =R =R =hydrogen and a=b=c=a single bond: 20cmethyl 17 9 hydroxyandrostan 3 one(bicyclo[2.2.2] octane-1'-methyl) carbonate.

7. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =hydrogen, R =R =R =methy1, a=a single bond and b=c=a double bond: 1 methyl-17B-hydroxyandrost-1-en-3-one (4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2'-ene-1-methyl) carbonate.

8. The compound of claim 1 wherein R R =R =hydrogen, R =R =methyl, a= b=a double bond and C: a single bond: 17B hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one(4'- methylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1-methyl) carbonate.

9. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =R R =hydrogen, R =methyl, a=c=a single bond and b =a 13 double bond: 70: methyl 17p hydroxyestr-1-en-3-0ne (bicyclo [2.2.2] octane-1'-methyl) carbonate.

10. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =R hydrogen, R =R =methy1, a=a single bond and b=c= a double bond: 17,8 hydroxyandrost 1 en-3-one(4- methylbicyclo [2.2.2] oct-2'-ene-1'-methyl) carbonate.

11. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R =R R =R =hydrogen, b=a single bond and a=c=a double bond: 17,8-hydroxyestr 4 ene-3-0ne(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct- 2'-en1'-methyl) carbonate.

12. The compound of claim 1 wherein R =R methyl, R =R =R =hydrogen, a=b=a single bond and 14 C22. double bond: Zea-methyl-17B-hydroxy-5a-androstan- 3-0ne(bicyc1o[2.2.2]oct-2-en-1'-methy1) carbonate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,056,727 10/ 1962 Allais et a1. 3,314,856 4/ 1967 Allais et al.

'HENRY A. FRENCH, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 424-243 

